Tape-free internally fixed nasal tube

Abstract

This invention provides a tapeless nasal-internal-fixation nasogastric tube that can be secured to the patient's nostrils without using tape, thereby saving on tape costs, avoiding lacerations caused by tape removal, and improving the facial aesthetics of the user. [Solution] The nasogastric tube of this invention is provided with at least one elastic arm on the tube cap or tube body 1, which can fix the nasal tube inside the nostril like an anchor. When using the tube, first the elastic arm provided on the tube cap or tube body of the nasal tube is pressed inward to compress and deform it, and then inserted into the nostril. When the elastic arm enters the nostril, it springs back and expands. After expansion, the outer diameter of the arc-shaped outer arm formed between each elastic arm becomes larger than the maximum inner diameter of the nostril, thus preventing the nasal tube from slipping out of the nostril.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices, and particularly to a device that can fix a nasogastric tube in the nostril without the need for tape.

Background Art

[0002] Patients who have difficulty chewing in the oral cavity due to old age or illness, or who have difficulty swallowing, or who are bedridden in a coma state, have difficulty taking food through the oral cavity. Therefore, in order to maintain the body functions, it is necessary to install a nasogastric tube. The nasogastric tube is a tube that passes from the nostril through the pharynx and esophagus and finally reaches the stomach. In this way, food is injected into the patient's stomach through the nasogastric tube so that the patient can obtain sufficient nutrition and maintain the body functions.

[0003] One end of the nasogastric tube is exposed outside the patient's nostril. In order to prevent the nasogastric tube from slipping out of the patient's nostril or retracting inside, usually the exposed nasogastric tube is pasted on the skin of the patient's face with tape. However, fixing the nasogastric tube with tape not only increases the cost of using the tape, but also may cause skin lacerations when removing the tape. In view of this, there is a need to improve the conventional fixing method of the nasogastric tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To solve the above problems, the objective of this invention is to provide a tapeless nasal-internal-fixation nasogastric tube that can be fixed to the patient's nostrils without using tape, thereby saving tape costs, avoiding lacerations caused by tape removal, and improving the facial aesthetics of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The terms used throughout the specification of this invention, such as "front," "back," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," and "side," are based on the directions shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms, either representing directions or similar terms, are merely for the purpose of assisting in the explanation and understanding of each embodiment of this invention and do not limit the invention.

[0007] Throughout the specification of this invention, the counter words "one" or "one" used with respect to parts or components are used for convenience and give their usual meaning to the scope included in this invention, and should be interpreted as one or at least one in this invention, and unless explicitly stated otherwise, the concept of one also includes cases of multiple items.

[0008] In the entirety of the specification of this invention, terms such as "first," "second," ..., and "nth" are used to distinguish different elements or features (such as parts, directions, processes, etc.) and do not indicate the maximum or minimum number of elements or features included in the corresponding subject or method, nor do they indicate an order.

[0009] In the entire specification of this invention, approximate terms such as "joining," "combining," or "assembling" mainly include those that can be separated without damaging the members even after joining, and those that cannot be separated after joining, and these can be selected by a person with ordinary skill in the art according to the material of the members to be joined or the requirements of the assembly.

[0010] The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention includes a tubular body and a tube cap positioning member, wherein the tubular body has an inlet, the tube cap positioning member has a coupling portion, the coupling portion is detachably coupled to the inlet, the stopper portion extends laterally on the side surface of the tube cap positioning member, the tube cap positioning member has at least one tube cap elastic arm, there is an elastic deformation space between the at least one tube cap elastic arm and the coupling portion, the at least one tube cap elastic arm has an extended end and a connecting end, the connecting end is connected to the coupling portion.

[0011] As a result, in the tape-less, internally fixed nasogastric tube of this invention, the connecting portion of the positioning member connects to the inlet and covers the tube body, so that the stopping portion of the tube cap positioning member contacts the outside of the patient's nose, and the inlet of the tube body is positioned in the patient's nostril and does not retract into the nasal cavity. The tube cap positioning member has at least one tube cap elastic arm, which can be pressed and deformed inward before being inserted into the nostril. When the tube cap elastic arm enters the nostril, it springs back and expands, forming an elastically deformable space after expansion. Because the outer diameter of the arc-shaped outer arm formed between the elastic arms is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the nostril, the nasogastric tube is fixed inside the nostril and does not slip out of the nostril, so there is no need to fix the nasogastric tube outside the nose using tape.

[0012] Furthermore, the positioning member has opposing first and second ends, the connecting portion is located between the first and second ends, the connecting portion has a large-diameter portion and a reduced-diameter portion, the large-diameter portion is connected to the inlet, and the radial dimension of the reduced-diameter portion gradually decreases from the large-diameter portion toward the second end. In this way, the connecting portion has the effect of being able to easily enter the inlet due to the reduced-diameter portion.

[0013] Furthermore, the tube cap positioning member has a gripping portion, and the gripping portion and the connecting portion are located at two opposing ends of the positioning member, respectively. In this way, the gripping portion can be grasped by a patient or medical professional, and the tube cap positioning member 2 has the convenience of being easily separated from the inlet 11.

[0014] Furthermore, the expanded portion has a maximum width dimension in the extension direction from the connecting end to the extended end, and this maximum width dimension is 5 to 15 mm. In this way, the expanded portion has the effect of forming a wide contact area with the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0015] Furthermore, the at least one tube cap elastic arm has a connecting end, which is connected to the joint, and the at least one tube cap elastic arm has two support arms, which branch from the connecting end in the extension direction to form two extension ends. In this way, the two support arms form a wide contact area with respect to the nasal cavity wall, and the at least one elastic arm achieves the effect of having better contact stability with respect to the nasal cavity wall.

[0016] Furthermore, the positioning member has a plurality of tube cap elastic arms, and these elastic arms are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the joint. In this way, the plurality of elastic arms further enhance the effect of providing the positioning member with better contact stability against the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0017] Furthermore, the tube cap elastic arm has an extended end and a connecting end, the connecting end being connected to the joint of the positioning member and the extended end being connected to the tube body. In this way, the tube cap positioning member is connected to the tube body by the elastic arm, which has the effect of preventing the positioning member from being lost or falling.

[0018] Furthermore, the tube has at least one elastic arm, and this at least one elastic arm protrudes from the outer wall of the tube. In this way, the elastic arm can be pressed and deformed inward before being inserted into the nostril. When the elastic arm enters the nostril, it springs back and expands, forming an elastically deformable space after expansion. Because the outer diameter of the arc-shaped outer arm formed between the elastic arms is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the nostril, the nasogastric tube is fixed inside the nostril and does not slip out of the nostril, so there is no need to fix the nasogastric tube outside the nose with tape.

[0019] Further, at least one end of the at least one tubular elastic arm is coupled to the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body, and the at least one tubular elastic arm is arcuately curved and raised on the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body. Thus, the at least one tubular elastic arm abuts against the inner wall of the nasal cavity and has the effect of positioning the tubular body on the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0020] Moreover, the tubular body has a plurality of tubular elastic arms, and the plurality of tubular elastic arms are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body. Thus, the plurality of tubular elastic arms have the effect of stably abutting the tubular body against the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] Exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of the combined state of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Exploded perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Cross-sectional view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention in use. [Figure 9] Perspective view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] To more easily understand the above objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are given as follows and will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Also, in different drawings, those denoted by the same reference numerals are regarded as the same and their descriptions are omitted.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention includes a tube body 1 and a tube cap positioning member 2, the tube cap positioning member 2 being detachably attached to one end of the tube body 1.

[0024] The tube 1 can be made of a flexible material such as plastic or silicone, so that one end of the tube 1 can be inserted through either of the patient's nostrils and reach the stomach through the pharynx and esophagus. The tube 1 can have an appropriate diameter depending on the inner diameter of the patient's stomach and esophagus, so that the tube 1 can easily pass through the pharynx and esophagus and reach the stomach smoothly, reducing discomfort when the tube 1 is inserted into the patient's body. The other end of the tube 1 has an inlet 11, which can be exposed from the patient's nostril, so that liquid food can enter the patient's stomach through the inlet 11.

[0025] The tube cap positioning member 2 is detachably connected to the inlet 11 of the tube 1. For example, when a patient is taking liquid food, the tube cap positioning member 2 can be removed from the inlet 11, and when the patient is not taking liquid food, the tube cap positioning member 2 can close the inlet 11, preventing foreign matter or pathogens from entering through the inlet 11. More specifically, the tube cap positioning member 2 has a connecting portion 21, which can be generally columnar, and the connecting portion 21 can close the inlet 11 by connecting to it. The positioning member 2 can have opposing first ends 2a and second ends 2b, and the connecting portion 21 can be adjacent to the second end 2b. Furthermore, the connecting portion 21 can have a large-diameter portion 22, and the radial dimension of the large-diameter portion 22 can be slightly larger than the diameter of the inlet 11. In this way, the connecting portion 21 abuts against the inlet 11 by the large-diameter portion 22, thereby closing the inlet 11.

[0026] Preferably, the connecting portion 21 may have a reduced diameter portion 23, and the radial dimension of the reduced diameter portion 23 may gradually decrease from the large diameter portion 22 toward the second end 2b, thereby making the radial dimension of the reduced diameter portion 23 smaller than the diameter of the inlet 11. In this way, the connecting portion 21 can easily enter the inlet 11 by the reduced diameter portion 23. In addition, in this embodiment, the tube cap positioning member 2 may have a gripping portion 24, the gripping portion 24 may be located at the first end 2a, and by positioning the gripping portion 24 and the connecting portion 21 at two opposing ends of the positioning member 2, the gripping portion 24 can be grasped by a patient or medical professional, providing the convenience of easily separating the tube cap positioning member 2 from the inlet 11.

[0027] The tube cap positioning member 2 has a stopper portion 25, which can extend laterally between the first end 2a and the second end 2b, thereby positioning the stopper portion 25 on the side surface of the tube cap positioning member 2, and the extension direction of the stopper portion 25 can be approximately perpendicular to the direction from the first end 2a to the second end 2b, preferably the stopper portion 25 can be located on the large diameter portion 22. In this way, when the large diameter portion 22 contacts the inlet 11, the stopper portion 25 can contact the outside of the patient's nose, for example, the lower edge of the patient's nasal septum, thereby positioning the inlet 11 of the tube body 1 at the opening of the patient's nostril, and preventing the inlet 11 from retracting deep into the nasal cavity and becoming difficult to remove.

[0028] The pipe cap positioning member 2 may have at least one pipe cap elastic arm 26, the at least one pipe cap elastic arm 26 may be made of a flexible material, and the at least one pipe cap elastic arm 26 may extend laterally between the first end 2a and the second end 2b. More specifically, the at least one pipe cap elastic arm 26 has an extended end 26a and a connecting end 26b, the connecting end 26b is connected between the first end 2a and the second end 2b, and preferably the connecting end 26b is connected to the large diameter portion 22. In this embodiment, there are two pipe cap elastic arms 26, and the two elastic arms 26 may be located on opposite sides of the large diameter portion 22. A curved portion 26c may be provided between the extended end 26a and the connecting end 26b, and the curved portion 26c causes the extended end 26a to face the second end 2b, thereby creating an elastic deformation space S1 between the at least one pipe cap elastic arm 26 and the connecting portion 21. In this manner, when the large-diameter portion 22 contacts the injection port 11, the elastic deformation of the curved portion 26c causes at least one tube cap elastic arm 26 to be inserted into the patient's nasal cavity. The elastic return of the curved portion 26c causes the at least one elastic arm 26 to contact the inner wall of the patient's nasal cavity, thereby positioning the injection port 11 of the tube body 1 at the opening of the patient's nostril and preventing the tube body 1 from slipping out of the nostril.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, when the patient is not taking liquid food, the tube cap positioning member 2 can be connected to the inlet 11, and the tube body 1 can be pushed into the nasal cavity until the stopper portion 25 contacts the outside of the patient's nose, causing at least one tube cap elastic arm 26 to be pressed inward and deformed before being inserted into the nostril. When the elastic arm enters the nostril, it springs back and unfolds, forming an elastically deformed space after unfolding. Because the outer diameter of the arc-shaped outer circumference arm formed between each tube cap elastic arm is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the nostril, the inlet 11 of the tube body 1 is positioned in the patient's nostril and does not slip out of the nostril, thus achieving the effect of not needing to fix the nasogastric tube outside the nose with tape.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, in the second embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention, compared to the first embodiment, the number of tube cap elastic arms 26 can be greater than two, the connecting end 26b of each tube cap elastic arm 26 can be connected to the large diameter portion 22, and the extended end 26a of each tube cap elastic arm 26 can be directed toward the second end 2b. For example, when the number of tube cap elastic arms 26 is greater than two, the multiple tube cap elastic arms 26 can be arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the large diameter portion 22. In this way, the presence of more than two tube cap elastic arms 26 allows the positioning member to have better contact stability with the nasal cavity wall. Furthermore, when there are more than two tube cap elastic arms 26, the width dimension of each tube cap elastic arm 26 can be reduced, allowing each tube cap elastic arm 26 to elastically deform more easily and be inserted into the patient's nasal cavity.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, in the third embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention, compared to the first embodiment, the tube cap elastic arm 26 has an expansion portion 27, the expansion portion 27 can be located between the extension end 26a and the connecting end 26b, preferably the expansion portion 27 is adjacent to the extension end 26a. Furthermore, the expansion portion 27 can have a larger width dimension than the connecting end 26b, preferably the expansion portion 27 can have a maximum width dimension D in the extension direction R from the connecting end 26b to the extension end 26a, and the maximum width dimension D can be 5 to 15 mm. In this way, the expansion portion 27 can form a wide contact area with respect to the nasal cavity wall, and the at least one tube cap elastic arm 26 can have better contact stability with respect to the nasal cavity wall.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, in the fourth embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention, compared with the third embodiment, the elastic arm 26 can have two support arms 261, and the two support arms 261 can branch from the connecting end 26b in the extension direction R to become two extension ends 26a. In this way, the width dimension of the at least one elastic arm 26 is increased by the two support arms 261, the two support arms 261 can form a wide contact area with the nasal cavity wall, and the at least one elastic arm 26 can have better contact stability with the nasal cavity wall.

[0033] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fifth embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube of the present invention, compared to the first embodiment, has an extension end 26a and a connecting end 26b in the tube cap elastic arm 26, the connecting end 26b is connected to the large diameter portion 22, and the extension end 26a is connected to the tube body 1. Furthermore, the extension end 26a is connected to the outer circumferential wall of the tube body 1 and can be adjacent to the inlet 11. In this way, when a patient removes the positioning member 2 from the inlet 11 to take liquid food, the positioning member 2 can be connected to the tube body 1 by the elastic arm 26, preventing the positioning member 2 from being lost or falling.

[0034] Furthermore, the tube body 1 may have at least one tube elastic arm 12. At least one end of the at least one tube elastic arm 12 is connected to the outer circumferential wall of the tube body 1 and can protrude from the outer circumferential wall of the tube body 1, and the at least one tube elastic arm 12 can be pressed and deformed inward before being inserted into the nostril. When the at least one tube elastic arm 12 enters the nostril, it springs back and unfolds, forming an elastically deformable space after unfolding. Because the outer diameter of the arc-shaped outer circumferential arm formed between the at least one tube elastic arm 12 and the elastic arm 26 of the tube cap positioning member 2 is larger than the maximum inner diameter of the nostril, the tube elastic arm positions the inlet 11 of the tube body 1 of the nasogastric tube at the opening of the patient's nostril and does not slip out of the nostril, so there is no need to fix the nasogastric tube outside the nose with tape.

[0035] As shown in Figure 9, the sixth embodiment of the tapeless internally fixed transnasal gastric tube of the present invention, compared to the fifth embodiment, allows for the omission of the gripping portion 24 at the first end 2a of the tube cap positioning member 2. This prevents the tube cap positioning member 2 from forming a noticeable protrusion in the patient's nostril, thus maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the face. Furthermore, the tube body 1 can have a plurality of tube elastic arms 12, and these plurality of tube elastic arms 12 can be spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the tube body 1. In this way, the plurality of tube elastic arms 12 can further improve the support stability of the tube body 1 against the inner wall of the nasal cavity.

[0036] Of particular note is that at least one of the tube elastic arms 12 of the tube body 1 disclosed in the fifth embodiment can also be applied to the tube body 1 of the other embodiments. Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, the gripping portion 24 can be omitted at the first end 2a of the positioning member 2, thereby further reducing the exposed volume of the tube cap positioning member 2. The contents disclosed in the embodiments described above can be used individually or in combination depending on the application needs, and are not limited to the forms disclosed in the drawings of each embodiment.

[0037] In summary, the tape-free, internally fixed nasogastric tube of this invention can be fixed to the nostrils like an anchor by providing at least one elastic arm device on the tube cap or tube body. By using this "tape-free, internally fixed nasogastric tube," it is not necessary to fix it with tape, which reduces the cost of using tape, avoids lacerations caused by tape removal, and improves the facial aesthetics of the user.

[0038] Although the present invention has been disclosed with the above embodiments, these embodiments are not limiting to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will know that any modifications made to the above embodiments, as long as they do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, will fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention includes all modifications that fall within the scope of the language set forth in the claims and equivalents described below. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0039] 1. Body 11 Inlet 12 Tube-type elastic arm 2. Pipe cap positioning member 2a first end 2b Second end 21 Joint 22 Large diameter section 23 Reduced diameter part 24 Gripping part 25 Stop part 26 Tube Cap Elastic Arm 26a Stretched end 26b Connection terminal 26c curved section 261 Support Arm 27 Expansion section S1 Elastic deformation space S2 Clamping space R Stretching direction D Maximum width dimension

Claims

1. A tape-free, internally fixed nasogastric tube, comprising a tubular body and a tube cap positioning member, The aforementioned pipe has an inlet, A tapeless, internally fixed nasogastric tube, wherein the tube cap positioning member has a connecting portion, the connecting portion is detachably connected to the inlet, the stopper portion extends laterally on the side surface of the tube cap positioning member, the tube cap positioning member has at least one tube cap elastic arm, there is an elastic deformation space between the at least one tube cap elastic arm and the connecting portion, the at least one tube cap elastic arm has an extended end and a connecting end, the connecting end is connected to the connecting portion.

2. The positioning member has opposing first and second ends, the connecting portion is located between the first and second ends, the connecting portion has a large diameter portion and a reduced diameter portion, the large diameter portion is connected to the inlet, and the radial dimension of the reduced diameter portion gradually decreases from the large diameter portion toward the second end, as described in claim 1.

3. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube cap positioning member has a gripping portion, and the gripping portion and the connecting portion are each located at two opposing ends of the positioning member.

4. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the expanded portion has a maximum width dimension in the extension direction from the connecting end to the extended end, and the maximum width dimension is 5 to 15 mm.

5. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one tube cap elastic arm has a connecting end, the connecting end is connected to the joint, and at least one tube cap elastic arm has two support arms, the two support arms branch out from the connecting end in the extension direction to form two extension ends.

6. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the positioning member has a plurality of tube cap elastic arms, and the plurality of elastic arms are spaced apart in the circumferential direction of the joint.

7. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic arm of the tube cap has an extended end and a connecting end, the connecting end is connected to the joint of the positioning member, and the extended end is connected to the tube body.

8. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tubular body has at least one tubular elastic arm, and the at least one tubular elastic arm protrudes from the outer wall of the tubular body.

9. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one end of the at least one tubular elastic arm is connected to the outer wall of the tubular body, and the at least one tubular elastic arm curves and protrudes in an arc shape on the outer wall of the tubular body.

10. The tapeless internally fixed nasogastric tube according to claim 8, characterized in that the tubular body has a plurality of tubular elastic arms, and the plurality of tubular elastic arms are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer wall of the tubular body.

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